«--Previous Post | Blog Index | Next Post--»
"That One": Condescending, Not Racist
Let me be the first to say that I do not think McCain's reference to Obama as "that one," which is already getting a ton of attention in the post-debate coverage, is a big deal. It is not the singular of "those people." McCain has always had a sharp tongue and an irreverent, almost cranky, sense of humor. You know, befitting an old uncle or grandpa.
I, for one, read no racism into the comment. Condescension, yes. Racism, no.
Update: The "That One" phenomenon is taking off. T-shirts and logos now available.
Comments
So then we all agree that McCain is a condescending a**hole that thinks Obama is not in the same league as him because he isn't some vaunted "war hero."
I don't think it was racism either--he was being his usual jerky self and he came off like the small person that he is. That being said, I had my fingers crossed for Barack--because I don't think debates are his best format, but he hit this one out of the park in my opinion.
I would have said "contemptuous", not just condescending. The "young Senator" is condescending. "That one" is the back of McCain's hand.
Posted by: Ran Siffle on 10/07/08 at 8:37 PM Respond
Are you serious?
Posted by: the wildness on 10/07/08 at 9:32 PM Respond
Are you kidding? I'm from the south and calling someone "that one" is about as racist as you can get. You're basically saying "you are not my equal and do not deserve a name".
Posted by: pklim on 10/07/08 at 10:48 PM Respond
To me the broader point is that the "honorable" John McCain has run such a sleazy campaign that there really is a legitimate question of whether he was just being a jerk or being racist.
Posted by: TarGator on 10/08/08 at 6:18 AM Respond
Of course you don't think it's racist probably because you're not black, not used to being marginalized and minimized.
Hard to prove this, but if Sen. Obama were a white brethren of the Hanoi Hilton War Criminal I doubt he would have called say Joe Biden "that one." Deep seeded racism - like institutional racism - boils beneath the surface.
Posted by: berniewentboom on 10/08/08 at 6:41 AM Respond
Please read Oct. 16 issue of Rolling Stone, "Make-Believe Maverick". You'll know for certain why McCain is a truly dangerous choice for president and you'll do everything within your power to keep him from getting elected. You can get a Rolling Stone widget in your igoogle. McCain is patronizing, condescending AND racist. Let's not quibble...
Posted by: Mrs.B on 10/08/08 at 7:41 AM Respond
It was appropriate to call obama "that one', since he IS not in McCain’s league..:-)
He is just a media creation, an affirmative action creation, which has done NOTHING except further his own goals.
He and his baby momma are the most manipulative south side creations, and his sleazy dealings with all his palls are coming to light.
27 days to tear down the empty suit..:-)
Bill
Posted by: Bill Nigh on 10/08/08 at 8:53 AM Respond
It was appropriate to call obama "that one', since he IS not in McCain’s league..:-)
He is just a media creation, an affirmative action creation, which has done NOTHING except further his own goals.
He and his baby momma are the most manipulative south side creations, and his sleazy dealings with all his palls are coming to light.
27 days to tear down the empty suit..:-)
Bill
Posted by: Bill Nigh on 10/08/08 at 8:54 AM Respond
Sorry for the double post.. button got stuck..:-)
Posted by: Bill Nigh on 10/08/08 at 8:55 AM Respond
Whether condescending or contemptuous (both are appropriate) the real American McCain does not respect the lightweight/Marxist/racist "empty suit" that is the chosen one.
And with good reason.
Posted by: Fred T. on 10/08/08 at 9:12 AM Respond
This post is a great example of dog whistle racism in today's politics. And there are so many more!
We're tracking political race baiting at www.stopdogwhistleracism.com. We find the good, bad and ugly from the right, left and center about race in the race. Visit us today for a non-partisan take on the race card, and the race card card, in today's politics.
Hope to see you at StopDog!
Posted by: Lynda on 10/08/08 at 11:41 AM Respond
You are kidding, right?
"Forgetting" Oliver's name, not even looking at the young lady who asked about green jobs.
A consistent approach to treating Obama as neither worthy to be on the same stage with him or as an object, and worse yet, a subhuman.
Yes, it's racist.
You think a guy who could never vote for a MLK holiday doesn't have a racist bone in his body?
And whoever this Bill Nigh guy is can just go ahead and put on his conical hat so he can collect him paycheck from the MKKKain campaign for trolling here.
Don't be afraid to call out the hatemongers, bigots, and anti-American lynch mob loving traitors for what they are.
Posted by: Wally on 10/08/08 at 11:49 AM Respond
You know it is a funny thing...hahaha
When real Americans begin to interject the "Truth" into a left wing blog, the only response seems to be name calling..?
How strange that people who pride themselves on being so tolerant, seem to only tolerate opinions that they AGREE with..?
Just because you libs can't handle the truth, is no reason to not see it...HUH?
Your empty suit, hate filled, paper candidate will be rejected by America in great numbers when it comes Election Day..:-)
Bill
Posted by: Bill Nigh on 10/08/08 at 1:11 PM Respond
Obama is the racist. His pastor Wright of 20 years taught him hate for 20 years, along with his wife. If Obama is elected, he will put into practice his hatred of White people. He is not a unifier, but a divider. Senator Clinton said as much, too. Don't forget Bill.
Posted by: Keith on 10/08/08 at 5:40 PM Respond
Bill Nigh, what I find funny is how you characterize yourself as a "real American" merely "speaking the Truth". Seems as though I've seen a bit of name calling in your posts because others (who are really just as much "real Americans" as you are) see your "Truth" as just a bunch of stinkin' BS.
I find that what you post, rather than "Truth" is nothing more than your uninformed opinion.
And *that* is the Truth!
Posted by: DaveD on 10/09/08 at 5:14 AM Respond
ARCHIVE
November 9, 2008 - November 15, 2008
November 2, 2008 - November 8, 2008
October 26, 2008 - November 1, 2008
October 19, 2008 - October 25, 2008
October 12, 2008 - October 18, 2008
October 5, 2008 - October 11, 2008
September 28, 2008 - October 4, 2008
September 21, 2008 - September 27, 2008
September 14, 2008 - September 20, 2008
September 7, 2008 - September 13, 2008
August 31, 2008 - September 6, 2008
August 24, 2008 - August 30, 2008
August 17, 2008 - August 23, 2008
August 10, 2008 - August 16, 2008
August 3, 2008 - August 9, 2008
July 27, 2008 - August 2, 2008
April 20, 2008 - April 26, 2008
April 13, 2008 - April 19, 2008
April 6, 2008 - April 12, 2008
March 30, 2008 - April 5, 2008
March 23, 2008 - March 29, 2008
March 16, 2008 - March 22, 2008
RECENT COMMENTS
Public School For the Obama Girls, Please? (112)
G Munson wrote:
The Obama girls be enrolled in public school ..... By all...
[more]
Hedge Fund Managers To Congress: Go Ahead, Regulate Us (3)
John wrote:
Brilliant and cogent criticism, Phillip. This sort of comm...
[more]
Court Smacks Down Bush Administration in White House Emails Case (12)
Dick Day wrote:
Does this mean that the Bush Administration has erased all...
[more]
I Was Right to Worry About Black Homophobia (58)
Paul Miller wrote:
Jason and many others who've made a similar point are righ...
[more]
Mormon Church GOTV for Prop 8: "Do All You Can" (106)
Patrick Henry wrote:
Brother Wiggins:
You gave us a sequence of historical eve...
[more]
Responding to Obama's Win, Michael (Son of) Reagan Says, Go After Dems on Sex (47)
Bob wrote:
Tell the son-of-the-guy who raised my taxes 7 times to goo...
[more]
Does That Make McCain Emperor Palpatine? (3)
Paul Miller wrote:
A Handmaiden's Tale was such a creepy book. No doubt tha...
[more]
David Plouffe For Democratic Party Chief? (17)
Alice wrote:
Oh dear god NO!! NOT David Plouffe! The D.N.C. needs someo...
[more]
Report: Rove Talks "Fairly Regularly" With McCain Camp; Getting Six Figures From Freedom's Watch (15)
Alice wrote:
Alot of things have "rove" written all over them. Like the...
[more]
Jumpstarting the Obama Administration's Web Functionality (1)
Observant wrote:
Looks like we have already the beginning of some " ugly Tr...
[more]
Movable Type 3.33


Posted by: TRW on 10/07/08 at 8:06 PM Respond